Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Amyers]

For sport shots that don't really fit your game not bad. I know it's expensive but pick a weight and drill get the balls fixed man you've got enough to think about without worrying about different feels

[Aslan]

I admire you for all the practice you're putting in! Keep it up.

Well,
1) I love to bowl. Even when I'm bowling badly I enjoy to bowl.
2) If I want to reach my goals, I need to work at it. Far too many bowlers bowl 1-4 times a week in beer leagues and regret that they never became a 200-average bowler. They think that by bowling leagues a few times a week it'll just naturally "click".

My team is the most annoying because they use pre-league practice to actually practice. I have to wait in a huge line while they "practice" in order to figure out my strike line.

Sometimes when I don't feel "confident" on my strike line, I know I am tentative when shooting my left hand spares off that strike line. That's what made me decide that I really need to shoot all spares with plastic - altho, truth be told, sometimes I get lazy and shoot with my strike ball and occasionally live to regret that laziness.

I think as you bowl in different houses and on different patterns, thats when you start to need a plastic ball and need to shoot left side spares with plastic. I mean, on a THS, I could probably pick up well over 75% of single-pin leaves on the left side with my strike ball…maybe 95% eventually with practice. But what about a short sport pattern like the Cheetah? What about a heavy oil or flat USBC pattern? Any pattern that really throws off that strike line…and suddenly you're struggling.

Like I said, I haven't ruled out using plastic for left side spares. I just need to get used to the new plastic ball shooting the right side and then EVENTUALLY adapt a left-side system. But it's playing different conditions that helped me see the need.

One last thing...get your confidence back. I'm trusting you to put Iceman away in Vegas. I believe you can do it...just get that attitude we use to see back and use it to your advantage.

Unfortunately, learning the "right" way to throw the ball has set me back a bit on my fast track to domination. I have to have faith that in the long run I'll be a better bowler because of it. But yes, I must regain the "magic" in the next 10 days, or you can look forward to the next 12 months of hearing about how the "gift" is more powerful than coaching.

Thank you for the encouragement.

[Aslan]

For sport shots that don't really fit your game not bad. I know it's expensive but pick a weight and drill get the balls fixed man you've got enough to think about without worrying about different feels

That ball will be replaced by the end of the year. It's not a ball I use very often, but it just seemed to do a bit better on that particular pattern. And then switching to the Rhythm in practice…already struggling with my thumb fit in the plastic ball…it was just a lot of variation I wasn't used to.

Like I told MWhite. I have a problem when something happens on a shot to let it mess with me.

Last Monday I was practicing and my toe crossed the foul line causing the buzzer to go off. I had never had that happen (I think it's turned off where I bowl leagues)…so for the rest of the practice…I was completely out of my element worried about that dang foul line. Today in practice, the first 2 times I threw the plastic ball…it stuck on my hand and nearly carried me down the lane. After that…completely messed with me.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

521 Series: 218-145-158
Game 1 I was clean except for a missed single 3-pin in the 6th and I struck a fair amount. Game 2 I was still working on spare shooting and got a couple splits to boot. More of the same in Game 3.

480 Series: 184-144-152
Game 4 was good; only a few open frames. Game 5 spare shooting was hit and miss; not so much because of the new plastic spare ball, because only 1 spare was a right side spare. Game 6 I struggled early and on one of the lanes I had to ball "up" to the polished Encounter and play a bit further outside…but once I got settled in, I was clean 6th through 10.

528 Series: 181-211-136
Game 7 I was a couple missed single-pin spares (both left side) away from a clean game. Game 8 I was clean through 9 until a 4-6-7 split in the 10th. 4 splits in Game 9 and some washouts led to a bit of a disappointment.

493 Series: 207-149-137
I was able to keep using the polished Encounter along the 6-board on the right lane…but needed to ball down to the Frantic on the left lane and was a missed single 10-pin in the 3rd away from a clean game in Game 10. Game 11 was only a few frames shy of a clean game but not much striking. Game 12 would have been all spares but I missed some easy ones. I think I was mentally and physically done after Game 11.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.54 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 4-bagger, 2 turkeys, 10 doubles, and 10 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (20/32)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 51% (28/54)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 and 4-7 (5x each).

Splits: 16% (2/12)

Average over 11 games: 168.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.58.

Statistically it wasn't great. Consistency was poor in terms of scoring. Worked a lot on my trail leg, not rising up on my shot, and not pinching the ball. Also got a chance, with a widened thumbhole, to use the new plastic spare ball. And early results are good in terms of the plastic spare ball. Took a little getting used to; not having to aim a little right and hook it into the pin. I even picked up a 5-7 using the plastic spare ball.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Lunchtime Practice: low oil synthetics

158-128

Decided to go and bowl a couple games at lunchtime. Results weren't good. Finished the last 5 frames of Game 1 clean; but a couple splits, a pulled shot, and a missed single 10-pin kinda ruined things. Game 2 was even worse. No strikes and lots of missed spares.

Wednesday Practice: medium-heavy oil synthetics

407 Series: 182-122-103
Started off well but had a couple frames where I didn't get square to the foul line and the ball went straight into the 10-pin. Then chopped a 2-5 in the 10th to ruin things. Game 2 was a huge disaster; washouts and missed spares 1 through 5…then able to make some spares and finally threw a strike in the 10th. Game 3 was even worse. FIVE splits!! A few spares and no strikes.

394 Series: 124-105-165
More horrible leaves and lack of ability to pick up the spares for the first 2 games. Still was struggling to strike in Game 3 but started making more spares once they FINALLY turned the lights on. Clean game except for a missed single 7-pin in the 1st and a chopped 1-2-4-7 in the 3rd.

235 (clean)
Had time for one more game and glad I did!! A 5-bagger and good spare shooting for my 5th highest score ever.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.49 pins
Strikes: 24% (1 5-bagger, 1 4-bagger, and 9 singles)
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (8/9)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin (4x).
Also left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (14/44)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 16% (1/6)

Average over 4 games: 148.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.14.

Tough practice because the first 5 games the lights were off and it was excessively dark. It's a completely garbage AMF center that has put a LOT into remodeling their lanes and scoring systems. The rest of the place is a dump though. Kinda hard to work on accuracy when you can't see the boards or arrows until you're about at the foul line.

Pushed a lot of shots right and into the gutter. Was working on my sweep leg; trying to "sweep" it rather than "kick" it to the side. That unfortunately left me facing right on a fair amount of shots. Also tried to continue working on my release and timing.

And, of course, still practicing with the new plastic spare ball. Since these lanes were heavier oil than what I'm used to, I even attempted many of the left side leaves with the plastic ball. Still hit or miss for left side spares. But I DID go 88% on single pins tonight and that is encouraging.

Gonna try and practice this center again on Monday to get used to the heavier oil. It seemed like either a long sport shot or a flat pattern. I was playing mostly the 7-8 boards with the Frantic and even if you got out to the 4-5 boards, there was virtually no movement. You see as the lanes dried out…especially with the crazy hot temperatures outside…my game started to improve. Mostly due to the lights coming on…but probably a little due to the oil breakdown.

Need to work on Monday and figure out how to bowl the fresh pattern since having a couple near 400 series to start with is NOT going to help me in Vegas nor at sweeps in Laughlin.

As of tonight, I hit EXACTLY 190,000 pins since I began tracking many, many years ago.

[Amyers]

Congrats on the 235 an 88% The rest not so much. What is up with the multi-pin leaves? You average of those has always seemed high and seems to have crept higher. I'm pretty sure I'm in the twenty's or below. I don't track mine the way you do but usually it's 7,10, 8, with some others mixed in for me. I'm not saying I don't throw the occasional bad shot and even miss the head pin I do but it seems either your missing the pocket a lot or your getting very poor reactions when you get there. something you might want to look at is multi-pin spare percentage vs. single pin percentage as in break down between the two.

[Aslan]

The rest not so much. What is up with the multi-pin leaves?

Normally, my reason is that when I miss the pocket or even hit the pocket...and these 4 things seems to happen:

1) Hit the pocket, but LIGHT, and leave something like a 2-4-8.
2) Ball up or move right and the ball goes through the headpin and leaves me with something like a 4-7-10.
3) Over-correct and miss the headpin completely (right) and get a 1-2-4-10 washout.
3) Over-correct again, miss brooklyn side, and leave something like a 2-5.

So I'm AROUND the pocket all night...rarely ever going in the gutter...but it seems like my margin of error is SO small that if I hit just a 'shade' light I leave a 9-pin or 7-pin or 6-pin. It needs to be PERFECT to strike. A variation of a couple boards...not enough hand, too much hand, etc... and I leave multi-pin spares. And multi-pin spares are the biggest difference between us and the pros. They don't leave multi-pin spares (generally). They strike or they leave a 9-pin (7-pin for lefties). Thats it. Pocket hit after pocket hit and when they do miss the pocket, it's because their line dries up and they go through the nose and get a split. But you don't see PDW or Mika or Parker Bohn leaving a 2-5 and then a 2-4-9 and then a 1-2-4-10 washout. It's very rare.

Right now I just really need to work on getting a consistent release. I'm still fighting with my hand...wanting to "grip" the ball...worried that if I don't "grip" it...I'll drop it. And when I grip it, it makes it's move too early...and loses power. Where as, when stay behind it and go nice and easy...good motion and good power. But...when it falls off my hand (a little TOO relaxed)...it goes straight into the 3-pin.

I'm also (simultaneously) trying to experiment with a plastic ball for left side spares. Not something I'll mess with at leagues tonight where I know the lanes will be dry enough and predictable enough to throw my strike ball. But throwing plastic straight at left side leaves is a HUGE change. Going to plastic for right side leaves is no big deal...just a minor targeting change. But left side leaves...it's a whole new set of targets and line adjustments...taking some time to figure that out.

[Aslan]

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics
Position Round

540 Series: 211 (clean)-176-153
Game 1 I was clean, feeling great. Everything was clicking. 4 spares on the left side I picked up with my strike ball and 2 spares on the right side picked up with the plastic ball. Looked like it was going to be a good series.

Game 2 I missed on a shot in the 4th frame and left a 2-4-5-7-8 which I chopped for my first open frame. Then missed a single 7-pin in the 8th. Only 2 opens and both were just bad shots. I'd have picked up the single 7-pin but I lost focus (drinks kicking in) and aimed 2 boards right of where I was supposed to. Still over my average and went 3 for 3 with the plastic ball on right side spares so I was still feeling "okay".

Game 3 I started out with a 1-2-8-10 washout but was otherwise clean through 5. And thats when my spare shooting fell apart. Missed 3 of 4 spares, all with the plastic ball...just bad shots...and finished with a disappointing 153.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.66 pins
Strikes: 37% (4 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 65% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (5/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 7-pin (3x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 61% (8/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 100% (1/1)

Average over 3 games: 180.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 187.33.

Another "good" and "bad" night. Bad for the team in that we lost 3 of 4 points and fell from 3rd place to probably 4th-7th. But good for the team because one of our beginners shot his first game above 200 and ended up with a 304 handicap game. After a bad first game, he asked if he should just go home...thinking he might be hurting the team...and I told him it didn't matter because 1st was out of reach...so if he felt okay he should just stay, no pressure. Next game; a 201!

And "good/bad" for me personally because once again I get one good score, but can't turn that into a quality series. Spare shooting "improved", but still came up a little short. Strike rate was UP...but I couldn't run more than 2 together. See "glimpses" of quality bowling...but not of the "greatness" I'll need to be victorious in Vegas and Laughlin next week.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

625 Series: 155-169-155-146
Game 1 my spare shooting was on until a tough stretch in frames 5-7 then finished clean. Of the 3 opens, (2) 1-2-4s and a 1-2 that were chopped. Game 2 was clean except for an errant shot in the 3rd frame when I hit the 6-9-10 and then guttered. Even managed to throw a few strikes. Game 3 was very similar to Game 1, a few open frames, a lot of spares, not much striking. The 8th frame; a 3-9 leave, was the first miss with the plastic ball. Game 4 I ran into problem with splits. Three splits in the first 6 frames. Chopped a 2-5 in the 8th but was otherwise clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 15% (7 singles)
Spares: 67% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (10/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 54% (13/24)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2 and 1-2-4 (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 156.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: n/a.

This was a perfect illustration of my bowling struggles that I call "good and bad". "Good" because I've greatly improved my spare shooting and had better scores the the previous week and showed consistent improvement each week on this tough PBA pattern. I actually won 2nd place in 3 of the 5 brackets I was in. Then comes the BAD news. I struck 7 times on 44 shots. And I still struggled making it back to the pocket, leaving things like 1-2s and 1-2-4s. And I chopped multi-pin spares I shouldn't have.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

633 Series: 171-142-159-151
Game 1 was pretty good. A couple opens. Struck a few times. Game 2 I finally missed a couple single-pin spares. Game 3 was ok, but chopped some spares I should have made. Game 4 I missed a left side bucket and had a couple splits but was otherwise clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.29 pins
Strikes: 21% (2 doubles and 5 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin and 6-pin (2x each).
Only left a single 3-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (13/23)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 4 games: 158.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 166.25.

I feel good that our team (Me and MWhite) took all 5 points. It's nice to get back to being at least a little competitive on this PBA pattern. And I look forward to next week when it's the shorter Cheetah pattern which I think I'll do better on. But still frustrated that I can't strike more. Makes for a very long morning when you have to throw 84 shots.

But PBA patterns are now put aside. It's now time t focus on Vegas. ONE more practice session left!!!

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

486 Series: 148-154-184
First series was strictly practice. The point was to practice on medium-heavy oil but since this was an AMF house; it sucked. No Monday evening leagues so apparently they decided not to oil the lanes. At least the lights were on; but still. The first game was spent trying to find the right line and right ball. Game 2 was better than the score dictates; 3 spares ruined the clean game. Game 3 was clean except for a 2-5-7 split in the 4th and a missed single 10-pin in the 6th.

535 Series: 176-179-180
Games 4 through 6 I tried to mentally prepare for the upcoming Vegas challenge by simulating that these games were the qualifying round. Lots of spares in Game 4 but a couple splits kept it from being clean. Game 5 I missed a single 6-pin in the 4th and then had a split in the 10th. Game 6 I was throwing pretty good but missed a single 9-pin in the 5th and then chopped a 3-6-10 in the 10th.

Figured the 535 series would be only good enough to get me in the 3rd or 4th (out of 4..didn't know mudpuppy was back in) in the stepladder. So then I tried to simulate (mentally) what the one game elimination would be like.

140-193
First game I had 5 opens…so I decided to take a mulligan since there's no way a 140 would win. In the 2nd try, I chopped a 3-10 split in the 1st and then missed a single 3-pin in the 4th; otherwise clean.

149-172-170-186
Then I tried to simulate the second ladder. Took me 4 tries to get a score that "might" advance me. Finally in game 4 I managed to strike a bit and was clean except for a 3-10 split in the 1st and then a missed single 10-pin in the 3rd.

186-135
To simulate the finals, I played another game and it was very similar to game 12…clean except for 2 opens; a 2-10 split in the 5th and chopped a 1-2-4 leave in the 10th. Tried to play another game but after 4 clean frames my plastic ball started hooking so much that it made playing/practicing rather difficult.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 31% (3 turkeys, 9 doubles, and 20 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (23/36)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (33/62)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 and 6-10 (7x each).

Splits: 14% (2/14)

Average over 4 games: 168.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 176.79.

Disappointed that the lanes were so dry. I mean, just a typical AMF disaster. But I wasn't gonna take my chances and drive to the college lanes which are always hit or miss and I wasn't going to drive to Irvine in rush hour traffic to bowl their heaver oil lanes.

Worked on my release and form. Tried to work on focus and timing as well. Gonna need some 'luck' in Vegas if I'm gonna take on that field. I don't think 186 to 193 is gonna get me the win.

Played the inside; which is rare for me. Throwing over the 16-18 boards to start; ended up targeting the 21 board. Still fighting with the release though. Had to throw it thinking, "Is it gonna stick? Or slip off my hand?"

Work tomorrow then a brief nap before taking the trip to Vegas!!!